Conservative Political Action Conference: why is it important?

Although no major Republican has yet announced a 2012 presidential run, a
number are expected to test the waters at the Conservative Political Action
Conference.

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Michele BachmannPhoto: AP

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Haley BarbourPhoto: AP

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Web rage: Sarah Palin, who has been accused of poisoning political discourse in the States.Photo: AP

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Mike HuckabeePhoto: AP

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Campaigning up and down the country for the mid-terms, Mitt Romney has been building the kind of goodwill that usually stands White House aspirants in good steadPhoto: AP

1:06PM GMT 10 Feb 2011

What is the CPAC?

The Conservative Political Action Conference, or CPAC, is the "premiere annual gathering of activists on the right", according to Time. The Washington event is hosted by the American Conservative Union, America's oldest and largest grassroots conservative association. Record attendance is expected for this year's event.

Why is it important?

Every four years it assumes particular importance as it is seen as an early indicator of who might run on the Republican presidential ticket. Most of the potential 2012 candidates will be speaking in front of 11,000 conservatives and jockeying for position and score high in a strawl poll. Mitt Romney won th straw poll in 2007 and 2008, but still lost to John McCain, while Ron Paul won in 2010. It is also a very early indicator for potential 2016 presidential candidates, with Paul Ryan and Kristi Noem seen as rising stars.

How important is the Tea Party?

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The Tea Party has been a key movement since Barack Obama became president, proving they are here to stay during the mid-term elections. Their backing is seen as important for any candidate running in 2012.

Ryan Hecker, a Houston lawyer and Tea Party leader told the LA Times: "I think you'll see every candidate try to claim tea party support.

"I think you're going to be seeing candidates that are much more ideological on conservative issues."

Who are the likely frontrunners?

Mitt Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts, is seen as the frontrunner, but this year is a particularly crowded field. Micele Bachmann, tea party darling, is opening the conference, while Newt Gingrich, the former House speaker, Haley Barbour, the Mississippi governor, and Tim Pawlenty, the former Minnesota governor, are among the key speakers. There are two key absentees however - Sarah Palin and Mike Huckabee - both touted as favourites for the nomination.

Why is Sarah Palin not attending?

Mrs Palin is officially not attending because she has a prior engagement and has declined previous invitations, despite CPAC's conservative role. She told The Washington Post: "February is our busiest winter month and with all the prior obligations and outside travel already scheduled for the month I had to forgo some of the opportunities in the Lower 48."

Her explanation has not sopped speculation however about why she will not be attending. Her reputation has taken somewhat of a battering since the Arizona shooting. Mr Huckabee, for his part, is in Israel.